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This 650 km route runs from Wakkanai to Port of Hakodate within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 96 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 21 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido.
This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
2 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Hokkaido.
[No.19] June 15, 2026: Time: 10:30 AM Location: Masuhoro, Soya-mura, Soya District, Wakkanai City Details: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
Bibai 盤の沢町本町, Hokkaido
Capture No. 4 — June 14, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mori Santai, Hokkaido
[23] 6/14 14:00 In a forested area located 300 m from a highway culvert, north along the municipal road (Koito-uo Road) in Miyanomori Town, a person who had come hiking and was eating a boxed lunch sighted an Ezo brown bear. The bear was about 1.5 m long and walked slowly westward.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Kunnui, Hokkaido
Around 6:40 PM on 2026-06-13, a bear was sighted in Shimizu-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted on a park walking path in Midorigaoka Park, Shimizu-cho, Tomakomai, with one front paw extended from the woods.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
One bear sighted on the park promenade — a recreational spot where citizens can barbecue in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai Kibacho 3-chome, Hokkaido
6/13 18:45 While walking around Kintaro Pond, I saw a brown bear in the shrubbery located southwest of the pond; only its upper body was visible. There was one bear, about 1.5 m long. It disappeared into the shrubs.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Report No. 24 — June 13, 2026 (Saturday): Location: Near 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward. Description: Brown bear confirmed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.005025,141.420409
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
One adult bear was sighted at the entrance of Haginosato Nature Park in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido.
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
In Hagino, Shiraoi Town, a man driving a car saw one brown bear cross the road and move toward a residential area.
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
Tracks/Sign No. 8 — June 12, Reiwa 8 (2026): Feces at Morimachi Crematorium, Morimachi Cemetery
Mori Kasumidai, Hokkaido
A resident saw a bear-like shadow while driving home in Meitoku-cho 3-chome, Tomakomai.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
[21] 6/11 20:15 In Meitoku Town, about 100 m north from the Meitoku West Central municipal road, upon returning home I saw one animal resembling a brown bear in the neighbor’s parking area.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Around 09:00 on 2026-06-10, a bear was sighted in Nishikioka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 10, R8 (showa?), 3:55 AM
Oshamanbe Toyotsu, Hokkaido
June 10, 1996, 18:15
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
R8.6.10 17:45
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
[20] Nishikinoka: One brown bear sighted within Hokkaido Golf Club.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
[No.18] June 10, 2026: Time: 19:18 Location: Wakkanai City, Kozetomura, Sarekito-nai Content: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 声問村, Hokkaido
June 9, 1996
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
One bear was sighted in Nishikioka, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Shizukari, Oshamambe Town, Hokkaido, around 20:50 on 2026-06-07.
Oshamanbe Shizukari, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Shizukari, Hokkaido
No. 17 — June 6, 2026: Time: 11:18 AM Location: Soya, Soya Village, Wakkanai City Details: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
A person driving at night spotted one bear crossing Route 2 in Nakanoboribetsu Town, Noboribetsu City.
Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
A bear about 2 meters long was sighted on the premises of a confectionery manufacturer in Nishikioka, Tomakomai.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
[14] 6/5 7:10 Nishikioka district — While driving on the Nozomi Nishikioka municipal road, a person spotted a brown bear in a vacant lot. The bear’s body length was about 1.5–2.0 m. Noticing the observer, it ran off toward the south. In a second report, a driver near Hokkaido Institute of Technology on Prefectural Route 141, driving toward Mount Tarumae, saw a brown bear crossing the road from west to east.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 5, 1996 (Reiwa 8)
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
One brown bear was captured in a box trap and culled in Yamakegaoka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Kojohama, Shiraoi Town.
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
Around 17:55 on 2026-06-04, a bear was sighted in Komagatake, Mori Town, Hokkaido.
Mori, Hokkaido
[12] Around 18:52 on June 3, a driver traveling toward Chitose on Route 36 at the 3.6-km point of the Uenae Minami No. 1 road witnessed three brown bears occupying the roadway. The bears left heading east into the woods.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Sightings No. 6 — June 4, 2026 (Reiwa 8): Crossed National Route 5 near Komagatake Shojin Bridge, moving from the Komagatake side toward the highway side.
Mori Komagatake, Hokkaido
[13] 1) 6/4 ~8:30 AM~ Around 8:30 on June 4 — At Nishikioka district, on the city road Nishiki-Ōnuma Park Street, about 50 m south from the Jumokuen Bridge, one brown bear (body length ~1.0 m) was observed crossing the road from west to east. 2) 6/4 ~9:05 AM~ Around 9:05 on June 4 — Near the outer fence at the down-line Tarumae Service Area, one brown bear (body length ~1.5 m) was observed.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
On 2026-06-03 around 16:40, one bear was sighted in Aoba Park, Shintomachi, Chitose City, Hokkaido.
Chitose, Hokkaido
June 3, R8 (Reiwa 8) 18:40
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Shinmachi, Chitose City.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Around 5 PM on 2026-06-03, a bear was sighted in Shimonoyu, Yakumo Town, Hokkaido.
Yakumo Shimonoyu, Hokkaido
June 3, Reiwa 8, 17:00
Yakumo Shimonoyu, Hokkaido
[16] Mamachi, around 4:40 PM — A brown bear was sighted (one individual) about 100 m east from the Ohayou Bridge in Aoba Park, after entering the park path.
Chitose, Hokkaido
[11] 6/3 1) 16:00 — One brown bear sighted about 2 km north of Kosei Bridge. 2) 17:33 — One brown bear about 1.5 m in body length seen clinging to a tree at a point 1.1 km north of Kosei Bridge. After that, it walked slowly west along the forest road.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
June 2, 1996, 18:40
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Chayagawa, Hokkaido
June 1, Reiwa 8, 17:30
Yakumo Midoricho, Hokkaido
June 1, Reiwa 8 (2026) 8:00
Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido
A woman walking in Aoba Park in Izumisawa, Chitose, spotted one bear about 1 meter long at the soccer field.
Chitose, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Izumisawa, Chitose City.
Chitose, Hokkaido
[15] Izumisawa — Around 7:20 a.m. — Near Aoba Park soccer field — One bear sighted
Chitose, Hokkaido
Bear-like tracks were found in a field in Irisawa, Yakumo Town.
Yakumo Otoshibe, Hokkaido
May 30, 1996 4:30
Yakumo Irisawa, Hokkaido
One bear was sighted on a road in Yamagoe, Yakumo town, crossed the road, and then left toward the mountains.
Yakumo, Hokkaido
In Yakumo's Yamagoshi district, a resident saw a bear about 1.5 meters long crossing the property through a home window.
Yakumo, Hokkaido
May 29, 1996 18:55
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
[No.14] May 28, 2026: Time: 23:55 Location: Wakkanai City, Soya Village, Masuho district Details: Brown bear sighting
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
[10] 5/28 18:29 A driver traveling on National Route 36 from Chitose toward Tomakomai observed a brown bear about 1 m in body length crossing the road from west to east near the Penkenai Bridge (approximately 2.6 km from Moda Oil).
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Around 11:20 PM on May 27 in the residential-area city road of Nishi 3-jo Minami 9-chome, Sunagawa, a man in his 20s who had returned home by car spotted a bear-like animal about 1.5 meters long walking on the road after getting out in front of his house.
Sunagawa オアシス, Hokkaido
Traces suggesting a bear were found in Torizaki-cho, Mori town, Hokkaido; bear-like animal droppings were found.
Mori Torizakicho, Hokkaido
May 27, 1996, 13:00
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
Oshamanbe Toyono, Hokkaido
May 27, 1996, 14:48
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
May 26, 1996, 12:25 PM
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
[No.12] May 26, 2026: Time: 15:00 Location: Wakkanai City, Midori 6-chome Details: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 緑, Hokkaido
Sightings No. 4 — May 26, 2026: Crossed from the expressway side toward Mount Komagatake near the Komagatake Higashiyama bus stop on National Route 5.
Mori Himekawa, Hokkaido
Around 3 PM on the 26th, one brown bear was seen crossing a prefectural road in Wakkanai by a passing driver, who reported it to city hall.
Wakkanai 緑, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Kamagatake, Mori town, Hokkaido, around 2:00 PM on May 26.
Mori, Hokkaido
Capture No. 3 — May 26, 2026 (Reiwa 8)
Mori, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Mashu, Chitose City, Hokkaido, around 9:56 PM on May 25.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Around 09:50 on 2026-05-25, a bear was sighted in Yamakoshi, Yakumo Town, Hokkaido.
Yakumo, Hokkaido
A bear was captured on a camera in Aoba Park, Chitose City.
Chitose, Hokkaido
[No.15] May 25, 2026 (Monday): Location: 1 Hitsujigaoka, Toyohira Ward (on the premises of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center) Description: Brown bear spotted on camera Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.0051,141.42045
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
May 25, 1996, 9:50 AM
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
May 25, 1996 9:00 AM
Yakumo Yamakoshi, Hokkaido
No. 15 — May 25, 2026 (Monday): Location: Yagachigaoka 1, Toyohira Ward (on the grounds of the Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center). Description: Brown bear observed on camera. Address: https://www.google.com/maps?q=43.00533,141.42045
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
Izumisawa — At approximately 9:56 PM, a single bear was sighted under the Dōō Expressway overpass near the lawn area of Aoba Park.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Two brown bears were sighted on National Route 238 in Kiyohama, Soya-mura, Wakkanai City.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
[No.11] May 23, 2026: Time: 21:55 Location: Kiyohama, Soya Village, Soya District, Wakkanai City Details: Brown bear sighted
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
No.11 May 23, 2026: Time: 21:55 Location: Wakkanai City, So-ya Village, Kiyohama Witnessed a brown bear.
Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido
Around 2:49 a.m. on May 22, a bear was sighted in Yokozuka, Toyohira Ward, Sapporo, and was seen on a security camera.
Sapporo Hitsujigaoka, Hokkaido
Izumisawa — Around 8:28 PM: On the roadway about 700 meters from the Karasakubai Bridge on Prefectural Route 16 toward Lake Shikotsu, one bear sighted.
Chitose, Hokkaido
Bibai 日東町, Hokkaido
A bear was sighted in Nodao, Yakumo Town.
Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido
Around 06:50 on 2026-05-21, a bear was sighted in Takaoka, Tomakomai, Hokkaido.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
May 21, Heisei 8 (1996), 9:58
Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido
[8] Takadakaoka: National Route 276 — (1) At a point 300 m from Takadakaoka Second Cemetery toward Tomakomai, observed three brown bears crossing the road from east to west (body lengths: 2.0 m, 1.0 m, 1.0 m). (2) At a point 1 km from the sighting location in (1), observed two brown bears in the forest to the west.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
May 21, 1996, 10:20 AM
Yakumo Nodaoi, Hokkaido
Brown bear sighting report 2026-2: Around 4:45 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was sighted.
Kitahiroshima 輪厚中央, Hokkaido
Brown bear sighting report 2026-2: Around 4:45 AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was sighted.
Kitahiroshima 輪厚中央, Hokkaido
At around 04:30 on May 20, a brown bear under 1 meter in length was sighted on a road in Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima; police responded after a report. The bear left the road for the forest and there were no injuries. A golf course and a campsite are located nearby and police warned the public to be cautious.
Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido
Around 04:30 on May 20, 2026, a passerby spotted a bear about 1 m long near a golf course in Shimamatsu, Kitahiroshima; responding police officers also saw a similarly sized bear on a city road near the adjacent Kitahiroshima Natural Forest Campground. The city closed the campground for this weekend and city staff and the hunters' association are investigating.
Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
Brown bear sighting report 2026-1: Around 4:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was sighted.
Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido
Brown bear sighting report 2026-1: Around 4:10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, a brown bear was reported sighted.
Kitahiroshima 輪厚工業団地, Hokkaido
A brown bear less than 1 meter long appeared on a road near a golf course in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido. Because there is also a nearby campground, police are on alert.
Kitahiroshima 輪厚元町, Hokkaido
Around 01:30 on May 19 in Tomakomai City, Takuyu Higashimachi 4-chome, a resident reported seeing a four-legged animal believed to be a bear, about 1 meter long. Takuyu Elementary School carried out supervised school commutes and the city conducted an on-site investigation but found no tracks or droppings.
Tomakomai, Hokkaido
Sightings No. 3 — May 19, Reiwa 8 (2026): Crossing the highway from the mountain side to the sea side (near the Washinoki Ruins)
Mori Washinokicho, Hokkaido
Peak activity at 4:00 with 7 incidents
Ursus arctos yesoensis
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In the past 30 days, 96 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 21 of them.
The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 4:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 650 km route runs from Wakkanai to Port of Hakodate within Hokkaido. In the past 30 days, 96 bear sightings were reported within 5 km of the route. The past 7 days account for 21 of them. The latest sighting was reported 1 day ago near Wakkanai 宗谷村, Hokkaido. This is an active bear corridor. Drive through with full caution, but rerouting is the safer choice.
